4-H Youth Dairy
Here you can find current information and resources regarding the Kentucky 4-H Dairy Program and Project.
The 4-H Dairy Project has been a long-standing tradition to the 4-H program. There are many opportunities to learn about dairy even if you are no longer a part of a dairy farm.
Check out Dairy Cattle Discovery and the Livestock Discovery homepage created from the Livestock Discovery CD.
Programs & Activities
The dairy non-ownership program is designed to allow youth who do not own dairy cattle the opportunity to lease a dairy animal to show. Completed forms must be turned in by June 1.
This is a new activity for senior 4-H Dairy project members. Youth must be between the ages of 14-18 as of January 1 of the current program year. The applications and resumes must be postmarked by the January 15 deadline. There will be at least 5 members chosen for the group. The group will have opportunities to improve leadership skills and communication skills while representing the dairy project. Since this is a new activity there will also be some opportunities to help develop the criteria for future 4-H Dairy Ambassadors. We will also plan the Southeast Dairy Youth Retreat.
This is a hands-on learning event that allows 4-H'ers the opportunity to learn some of the science behind how to take care of ruminant animals.
This conference is held annually in Madison, Wisconsin, during World Dairy Expo for youth 15 to 18 years old. Each year Kentucky selects outstanding senior 4-H members to attend this conference and represent Kentucky.
The Southeast Dairy Youth Retreat is an annual event rotated by states in the Southeast. Youth have the opportunity to attend educational sessions, visit farms and tour the area where the meeting is hosted.
This event is held annually and is hosted by a different county each year. This is an educational event where youth ages 9 to 18 can learn more about judging dairy cattle.
This contest is an annual event that allows 4-H members ages 9 to 18 to show off their knowledge of the dairy industry by answering questions on a wide variety of dairy topics.
The contest is open to any 4-H member ages 9 to 18 who have met all the eligibility requirements.
Resources
How to Make a Rope Halter - Learning to make a rope halter can be a good activity for your 4-H Club meetings. This publication by Dr. George Heersche gives the step by step how to.
Making Cottage Cheese at Home - Learn how to make cottage cheese.
Making Yogurt at Home - Learn how to make yogurt at home.
4-H Dairy Project Activity Summary - This chart could be used to log the activities the 4-H member has completed while at home with their project animal. Another way to document time spent would be to take pictures or videos of the 4-H member in action with their project animal.
Jersey Association Activity Pages - American Jersey Association has put together some educational activities for their members. These are some simple word search and fill in the blank sheets.
Zoonotic Disease Detective - This fun interactive booklet developed by Michigan 4-H and the CDC looks at biosecurity and zoonoses in a fun way. Join in becoming Disease Detectives to explore the microorganisms behind these diseases and ways to protect yourself and others from the spread of germs! Answer Page
Dairy Discovery CD - The Livestock Leader Certification program Discovery CD is now available online. This is the link to the dairy materials.
American Dairy Farmers Association North East Farm Tours - There are 3 dairy farm video tours. 4-H members can watch and compare and contrast their dairy farm operation to the ones on these videos.
Discover Dairy - This website contains lots of dairy related materials. The activities are Stem and Core curriculum rated for school enrichment. There is also a list of children's books that talk about cows. The activities are for both elementary school and middle school age children.
FARM Program Resources - The National Farmers Assuring Responsible Management Program has been developed for dairy farmers and dairy farm cooperatives to use to insure the proper care is included in training those who work on dairy farms. These materials would be appropriate for older youth who are helping on the family farm or have a dairy farm job.
Hoards Dairyman Dairy Judging Contest - This contest is held annually January to March. 4-H clubs can use these to practice dairy judging. Have your 4-H members place the classes and have a discussion on placings.
Virginia Tech Dairy Judging Videos - Learn more about dairy judging and oral reasons. These videos are excellent sources of practice judging classes. Have your 4-H members place the class and give their own set of reasons for their placings.
Vaccination Handout - This handout has lots of information regarding the proper use of injections in livestock.
4-H Dairy Project Record Book - This record book was put together by Florida Cooperative Extension. It contains all the summary charts needed for any good dairy project record book. This project book would be a good way for older 4-H members to learn how much their dairy project costs and what records are important for any farming operation.
The Dairy Alliance - This Southeast dairy promotional organization has good teacher resources and dairy recipes and a virtual field trip to a dairy farm. Study guide questions can be downloaded and answered about these short videos. This could be turned in for possible livestock educational hours credit.
The Holstein Foundation - Excellent resource materials for club meetings or individual study. There are free workbooks that can be downloaded on a variety of dairy topics, not just judging and showing. The dairy quiz bowl questions are available here, and the dairy jeopardy questions are also a good study activity.
Showmanship Videos - These were shared on the Kentucky 4-H Dairy Facebook page and are a part of the Holstein Foundation education resources. You might share pictures or videos of 4-H members with their animal either leading or clipping.
Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom - Classroom resources about agriculture for teachers looking for more online resources.
Southland Dairy Farmers Mobile Dairy Unit - Mobile trailer that can visit schools and fairs.
